Holy Donuts Pops Up in Hilo

Great news for Hilo: Holy Donuts has opened a pop-up retail outlet in Hilo at 187 Kino‘ole St. in Hilo.

Ever since reading Karen Rose’s piece on Holy Donut’s Kona outlet, I have been hoping to try one of these donuts, which receive major donut-buzz on Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat.

Holy Donuts is open Tuesday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.—or until the donuts sell out.

On a recent visit, I was assisted by charming staffer Leialoha, who helped me pick out a large selection. I needed help, because it’s easy to become overwhelmed by all of the choices. I asked Leialoha about hot sellers, and she rattled off several—Lilikoi Meringue, Chantilly, Red Velvet, Maple Bacon, Peanut Butter and Jelly, and the Elvis (peanut butter, bacon and banana).

While perusing the cases, I ran into some neighbors, who were back for their second purchase of the day!

Donuts run between $3 and $5 each. They are large enough to share.

I also purchased a cinnamon roll, which fed me for two breakfasts (yep, they’re BIG).

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I took a box home for some friends and pal Mike noted that it isn’t just the great (and sometimes wacky) flavor combinations that make these donuts so interesting. The donuts themselves have a delicious, substantial texture.

I asked owner Irene Heiman about that in a recent interview.

“I probably tried 300 different donut recipes before I came up with this one,” she noted.

She recounted waking up in the wee hours of the morning and hitting the internet in search of recipes.

The store’s donuts are made fresh every day (except for Monday, their “prep” day) and driven over to Hilo by her husband, Steven Heiman.

The store is freshly-painted and spotlessly clean.

Through her donut venture, Heiman continues to be a strong supporter of those in need and plans to extend her good works to Hilo.

“I found my purpose through donuts—to help kids and lost souls,” Heiman said.

Check out Holy Donuts at 187 Kino‘ole St. in Hilo. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (or until sold out).

A sampling at Holy Donuts in Hilo. Photo credit: Marla Walters

Holy Donuts. Photo credit: Marla Walters

Holy Donuts. Photo credit: Marla Walters

Marla WaltersMarla Walters is a transplant from Humboldt County, California. She has a multitude of writing experience as a Wise Bread staff writer, cookbook editor, and blogger. She has also written for The Purple Fig and Molly Green.